Doña Ana County expanding runway at International Jetport to attract cargo business

SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The Doña Ana County International Jetport may soon see larger aircraft coming into the facility, thanks to some new expansions.

The county announced Tuesday that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham gave it $20 million to expand the industrial base in Santa Teresa, and $18 million of that is being used to expand the runway at the Jetport to handle cargo planes. The county hopes this will attract more business to the area.

Jerry Pacheco, president of the Border Industrial Association, says the improved runway will be able to handle Boeing 757s, which he says should be enticing to cargo companies that currently ship materials in and out of the industrial park by rail or truck.

The construction will add 25 feet on each side of the runway, expanding the width to 150 feet and will bring the length to 9,550 feet.

Officials anticipate construction will begin in late October.